Subiaco centrepiece under construction

Tuesday, 20 July, 1999 - 22:00
Building has begun on stage one of Subiaco Square – the centrepiece of the $100 million Subi Centro redevelopment project.

The redevelopment, managed by the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority, will see the area above Subiaco’s underground railway station transformed into a piazza ringed by apartments, shops, cafés and commercial spaces.

The minister for planning, Graham Kierath, officially opening the Subiaco Square marketing centre, said the overall project was controlled by design guidelines created to ensure development over the 80 hectares of Subi Centro complements existing neighbourhoods and reflects the architectural and social heritage of Subiaco.

The first stage will include a shopping centre comprising an Advantage supermarket and about twenty specialty shops due for completion in November as well as 52 residential apartments with secure underground parking due to be completed by August 2000.

The development is a joint venture between Rockingham Park Pty Ltd, Blackburne Subi Centro Pty Ltd and Stockland Trust Group.

Blackburne Real Estate made its name in urban renewal projects at East Perth while Rockingham Park brings specific expertise to the consortium in shopping centre development. Stockland Trust is one of Australia’s largest public companies in the property area.

The consortium has combined shareholders’ funds of more than $1 billion and more then 100 years of expertise in property development projects.

Architectural firm Hames Sharley has been appointed by the developers to ensure the apartments balance the existing scale and historical context of Subiaco.

The apartment blocks are a maximum of four storeys high with one and two-level apartments.

Blackburne Real Estate chairman, John Blackburne said he was very encouraged by the early sales response.

“Well over 100 potential buyers have already registered an interest in this first stage” Mr Blackburne said.